USC defensive end Leonard Williams is a projected top-five pick in next year's NFL draft ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – It isn’t an excuse. It’s a fact.

USC has fewer scholarship players than the norm because of NCAA sanctions that end after this season The Trojans will have fewer than 70 when they open the 2014 season next Saturday against Fresno State. The maximum for unsanctioned teams is 85.

As such, when a USC player suffers an injury, it’s a bigger deal than at other schools. The Trojans have only so many bodies available.

Given USC’s lofty goals and depleted roster, it’s informative to examine the players the Trojans least can afford to lose. This list doesn’t necessarily consist of USC’s best players but its most indispensable ones based on depth, or lack thereof.

1. DE Leonard Williams

Williams is both. He is USC’s best player and its most irreplaceable. He’s just that good.

A projected top-five pick in next year’s NFL draft should he choose to enter it, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams is both a stout run defender and ferocious pass rusher. When he missed time during training camp because of a minor shoulder injury, it was noticeably easier for USC’s offense to move the ball against its defense.

The Trojans have players with similar dimensions who could fill in for Williams, but none has nearly as accomplished a résumé. Greg Townsend Jr. (6-3, 275) came on late in camp but has yet to prove he can be consistent and stay healthy. Transfers Delvon Simmons (6-5, 295) and Claude Pelon (6-4, 295) will share duty as Williams’ bookend, but they’re considered defensive tackles in USC’s 3-4 scheme.

Williams has the versatility to play inside or outside. That’s an asset any team would cherish – but especially the shorthanded Trojans.

2. ILB Hayes Pullard

Pullard is one of USC’s best defenders and one of its foremost leaders. He’s also one of only two healthy inside linebackers with any substantial experience.

USC expected to have three to man the two ILB spots, but fellow senior Lamar Dawson has been nursing a knee injury. With Dawson out – he could miss the first three regular-season games – Pullard’s value only increases.

Pullard’s backup is sophomore Michael Hutchings, who made 19 tackles as a freshman backup last season. It’d be a leap for Hutchings to take over as the defense’s quarterback. Hutchings also lacks Pullard’s heft. Hutchings is listed at 6-1, 210; Pullard is a rock-solid 6-1, 235.

USC plans to rotate defenders at several spots this season. Coordinator Justin Wilcox mentioned one player who wouldn’t leave the field unless he was absolutely gassed: Pullard, who has led the team in tackles two of the past three seasons.

3. C Max Tuerk

Tuerk brings versatility and experience to the offensive line. Not many others can make that claim.

As of this writing, USC was expected to start first-year freshmen at both guard spots in the opener: Toa Lobendahn and Damien Mama. It would be the first time that has happened in school history.

Part of the reason that’s a feasible scenario is that Tuerk lines up between them. The Santa Margarita High product has 20 career starts entering his junior season. Yes, none have come at center. But the coaches thought highly enough of Tuerk’s football IQ to entrust him with that responsibility.

Tuerk also is the probable long-term contingency plan at left tackle should anything happen to starter Chad Wheeler.

The Trojans’ offensive line is one of the team’s biggest question marks. Tuerk is the one lineman they can’t afford to be without.

4. TE Randall Telfer

Telfer’s importance to the offense spiked at the outset of training camp, when fellow tight end Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick was declared academically ineligible. That left USC with only two scholarship tight ends: Telfer and freshman Bryce Dixon. No. 3 tight end Chris Willson has impressed, but he’s a walk-on who was playing quarterback as recently as last year.

Despite his QB background, Willson is a competent blocker. Dixon is a superb pass catcher who’s a work in progress as a blocker. Telfer can do both.

Telfer was underutilized as a pass catcher last year, when he battled through injuries. (Telfer received USC’s Chris Carlisle Courage Award after the season). Expect that to change under Steve Sarkisian, who helped Austin Seferian-Jenkins win the 2013 Mackey Award.

Sarkisian likely would have to alter his scheme if Telfer missed substantial time. The Trojans also would take a hit in the leadership department; like Pullard and the final player on our list, Telfer is a fifth-year senior.

5. CB Josh Shaw

There was heated debate in the war room over the identity of the fifth-most-indispensable Trojan. Much consideration was given to star receiver Nelson Agholor, who, like Williams, is a projected first-round draft pick. None of USC’s receivers is as polished as Agholor.

But here’s the thing: The Trojans have a stockpile of receivers. It’s arguably their deepest position.

Which brings us back to Shaw, the best player at a position lacking depth.

Shaw, junior Kevon Seymour and redshirt freshman Chris Hawkins are set as the top three cornerbacks. After that, it’s all freshmen, all the time. Take Shaw out of that mix, and Seymour is the only player with any college experience.

After swapping between cornerback and safety earlier in his USC career, Shaw is ensconced at corner now. He’s happy about that development – but never complained when he was shuttling back and forth. Shaw, who spoke at the USC student-athlete graduation ceremony, sets a positive example for his younger teammates on a daily basis.

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